There will be four divisions instead of the five groups which had been in operation for many years, in the 2012 Meath All County A Football Leagues and the composition of the fourth section was the subject of some lively debate at Monday night's county committee meeting.

Chairman Barney Allen initially suggested that eventually there would be four divisions of 13 teams each but a number of delegates, led by Simonstown's Gerry Fitzpatrick, disputed the logic of having odd numbers, something which the review committee was trying to steer away from for the championships.

Allen spoke in favour of the three 12-teams format for Divisions 1, 2 and 3, saying it would be unfair to penalise sides who gained promotion last year. That would leave 16 in Division 4 and some wondered if it would be feasible for participants to play 15 games.
Add in championship matches, the Tailteann Cup and hurling fixtures for dual clubs and the CC could have some headaches.

The chairman suggested that Division 4 be broken up into two groups but Peter O'Halloran and Larry McEntee led the campaign for a 16-team group. Oliver Cudden expressed the view that such would not be workable and Oliver Melia said it would be unfair on dual clubs.

Final decisions on the formation of the football championships and A and B leagues will be made at a further meeting next Monday night with clubs invited to send in proposals.

Gerry Fitzpatrick spoke for a proposal that 100 euro be paid to clubs hosting county committee fixtures under floodlights. Pat O'Neill said that hosting games under lights can run up a club's electricity bill and treasurer Pat Clerkin promised to "look at" the matter.

Jimmy Henry recorded his thanks to all clubs who make their floodlit facilities available, adding that night games play a big part in getting competitions completed.

Paddy O'Dwyer said that too much time was being wasted in discussing motions which were eventually ruled out of order and such should be vetted before appearing on the agenda. Tweet

Most Read Stories